ext_229997 ([identity profile] marysdress.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] jducoeur 2005-08-03 07:39 pm (UTC)

Alternatives

I'm assuming you're talking about respreading the clue to the offenders, yes? I've been thinking about this a little while going through my day, rewinding the last 18 years of data in my mind. I recall Mara having been sent to talk to really bad offenders in the past - and that just shouldn't be necessary. Everyone should feel free to say enough is enough - and as Dreda points out, when you do you come across as prickly. I don't think talking about it is doing enough. We do that periodically, but in the long run it amounts to (pardon the pun) lip service.

So what would I suggest in addition? An attempt to reintroduce gentile hand extending with at worst the potential for hand kissing. A good bow over the hand or tasteful kiss to the hand is a damn site as romantic if not more than the other stuff - and a hell of a lot more period too I would imagine. Plus it initally nips forward behavior in the bud and sets a certain expectation.

Sure, there's the potential for people pressing their advantage or consensual progress at a later date. However, if we set up the assumption of gentility, it makes it easier to back away from the unwanted advances. It's not perfect, but it's a start and a start that could work on the individual level without discussions and addressing the masses.

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